The beginning

球隊成立台
北皇家蔚藍足球俱樂部(Royal Blues Taipei)的前身為台北羅素足球俱樂部(Rogues
FC)，羅素足球俱樂部創建於2009年，該俱樂部是以一間鮮為人知的酒吧而命名，直到現任領隊艾諾博(Robert
Iwanicki)以及麥特(Matt
Underwood)接手後，才將俱樂部重新命名。帶著強大的野心以及夢想，俱樂部在2012-13賽季，以多數外籍球員為主力，重新出發，征戰賽場。重
新整裝的台北皇家蔚藍在2012-13賽季的台北市上班族足球聯賽(Businessman’s
League)首次亮相。台北市上班族足球聯賽擁有許多前國手以及頂級聯賽好手，普遍認為該聯賽是台灣最頂尖的業餘聯賽，同時也是台灣的次級聯賽，在各方
的贊助以及協助之下，來自不同隊伍的球員們能夠在維護完善的球場內進行高強度的競賽。皇家蔚藍在首賽季即取得第六名的成績，為俱樂部的歷史寫下新的一頁，
也為往後的俱樂部發展奠立基石。The BeginningThe
Royal Blues were once called Rogues FC, founded in 2009 and named after
an infamous bar in a country residing in Asia. The ‘New’ Royal Blues
was renamed by Matt Underwood and Robert Iwanicki and was brought back
to life ready for the 2012/13 season with big ambitions in mind. The
first tournament to be entered was the 2012/13 BML League (Businessman’s
League) which is the highest amateur league in Taiwan and can also be
regarded as the 2nd strongest league in the country. Ex -International
and top tier league players populate this league and with strong
sponsorship and league backing, teams have the chance to play on one of
the best maintained pitches in the country. This first BML season for
the Blues saw them finish in 6th place and would set the benchmark of
development for the seasons to come.

2013/14 Season

2013-14賽季現 任總教練魏達力(Matt Ward)於13-14賽季的上班族足球聯賽加入俱樂部，並與領隊艾諾博一齊分擔教練一職，在達力的協助下，皇家蔚藍以聯賽第三名作收。然而，俱樂部對此 結果並不感到滿意，不穩定的球員陣容導致球員無法專注於賽場上，也使得皇家蔚藍在聯賽尾聲以些微之差和第二名擦身而過，俱樂部也因此於該年底著手改革。皇家蔚藍首要改革的目標是擁有頂尖且穩定的球員陣容，藉著讓所有有興趣的球員能夠參與俱樂部訓練、有效的訓練以及「一加一大於二的領隊哲學，讓俱樂部改革以超乎預期的速度進行，「止於頂尖的俱樂部文化同時也深植於每位工作人員的心中。2013/14 SeasonThe 2013/14 BML season saw current Manager and Joint Head Coach Robert Iwanicki team up with other current Head Coach, Matt Ward. A 3rd place finish saw an improvement with disappointment by losing out on a 2nd place finish by a narrow margin but still, no more could have been expected after inconsistencies running through the squad with players dropping out and motivation for the game decreasing throughout the city. Things had to change and on the back end of 2014 the Blues took their chance. After an unsettled 2013/14 campaign the squad was now becoming more organized with each passing week, and most of the reasoning being down to setting a culture of excellence. By giving players opportunities to train, by giving effective training sessions and by building a team philosophy that became bigger than any individual, the small steps were starting to be taken that with hard work would lead into something bigger. These steps were fast forwarded sooner than expected.

Registration for the Intercity Division 1 (Highest level league in the country of Taiwan) came around in 2014 and with the Royal Blues’ efforts to modernize the club and proof that the positive ambition was in place, the Blues were accepted into the Division 1 play-offs. This was to be the start of a new adventure and a huge step for the club and all involved with it but there was one drawback; All teams would be limited to playing only 3 foreign players on the pitch at any one time. The Royal Blues were a team made up of foreign players! The foreign limitation rule for the upcoming playoffs and league season meant that one of the Blues’ would be rivals dropped out - Taipei City Dragons. The Dragons were also a foreign team and had competed in Division1 the previous year finishing bottom of a difficult league and under testing circumstances. An interesting Taipei rivalry wasn’t to be and the Royal Blues continued with the plan ahead and started to recruit local Taiwanese players – All to be done in the space of 6 weeks to be ready in time for the qualifiers.

Qualifiers for the First Time

城市足球聯賽升降賽在2014年，皇家蔚藍展開了另一段冒險。俱樂部獲得了參與台灣頂級聯賽城市足球聯賽(Intercity National Division 1)升降賽的機會，藉由參與這項賽事，俱樂部得以測試先前改革的成效，然而，賽事的其中一條規定「一隊僅能派三名外籍球員同時上場競賽， 使得俱樂部前途困難重重。這項規定也使得台北龍隊(Taipei City Dragons)必須退出城市足球聯賽，台北龍隊也是一支多半由外籍球員所構成的隊伍，在一季努力的打拼後不幸地只能在排名下游徘徊。有鑑於台北龍隊所遭 遇到的問題與困難，皇家蔚藍決定選訓台灣本土球員，為附加賽一戰。皇家蔚藍的選訓吸引了約莫三十位本土球員，選訓期間，球員各盡所能，嶄露了高度的求勝心，選訓這項活動也在俱樂部的發展中寫下新的成就踴 躍的報名顯示了在台灣這塊土地上仍有許多天分被埋沒，而俱樂部也深信藉由選訓，球團能夠發掘出更多的足球人才，增加聯賽的對抗性，並讓足球－全世界最為之 瘋狂的運動－在台灣這塊土地上發光發熱。選訓結束後，俱樂部邀請新進的本土球員與既有球員一同進行每周三次，為期六週短促密集的準備，為接下來兩場賽事做 準備。台北皇家蔚藍足球俱 樂部在首場升降賽賽事中對上嘉義縣，上半場皇家蔚藍即被攻入三球，雖然在下半場皇家蔚藍努力扳平比數，卻在比賽的尾聲痛失兩球，終場以三比五結束第一場賽 事。第一場的失利使得第二場對上航源事業的結果格外重要，然而，即使皇家蔚藍全場努力不懈，終場仍以一比四結束整段附加賽的旅程。雖然由於倉促的準備以及 部分球員無法出賽使得兩場附加賽的賽事結果不盡理想，俱樂部對此段經驗仍感到十分的滿意－附加賽所顯露的不足是俱樂部所要改善的地方之一，同時，藉由額外 一年在次級聯賽沉潛的機會，皇家蔚藍能夠繼續挖掘在地好手並與球團培養默契。另一方面，附加賽期間所創造的球迷人潮也讓俱樂部相信足球發展在未來台灣這塊 土地上是可以預期的，適當的改革措施、穩定的成長以及各方的協助，台灣足球能在未來亞洲足球佔有一席之地。Qualifiers for the First TimeWith a lot of hard work, training 3 times a week and player deals sealed that would of entitled players to performance bonuses, the qualifiers started and the Blue’s fate would be sealed after 2 matches against 2 other teams – 1 of them relegated from Division 1 and the other a college team from the South of Taiwan. With limited preparation time and only a small selection of local players to choose from, it was never going to be an easy task. The trials that were held before hand attracted many Taiwanese players with between 20-30 players coming to each of the trials and showing their skills. This was a sign that football needed to be used more as a social weapon and to bring people together, showing to everyone that there are still a large number of players in the country who get overlooked for a number of reasons. This was to be one of the most satisfying achievements so far – giving people a chance to play football. A chance to join together and play the most popular sport in the world. The first match came and flew by so fast. We was 3-0 down at half time and managed to pull it back to 3-3 in the 2nd half, only to lose it in the final stages 3-5.

The second match saw the Blues lose 4-1 and at the same time ended any hope of qualification into Division 1 but with heads down, the heart could be full because the effort by everyone in both matches was one to be proud of. In the end, the lack of preparation time and player availability were big issues but at the same time, it was maybe a sign that the Blues should wait a bit longer to find their feet and continue their development. Another finding from the qualifying attempts was the crowd size that came to watch these matches. People turned up and produced bigger crowds than almost all of the actual Division 1 matches themselves, something that would need to improve if the league was to become a power in the AFC.

The Next Development – 2014/15 Season

2014-15賽季附 加賽的失利讓皇家蔚藍必須重返上班族聯賽，皇家蔚藍對此並不氣餒，反而將之前比賽所取得的經驗化為動力，在聯賽中只以一場失利，取得了聯賽榜首。回顧 14-15賽季，皇家蔚藍先前所作的努力漸漸地得到收穫，無論是球員在俱樂部的成長以及對俱樂部的投入，皆是超乎先前的想像。球員們不僅在俱樂部投入他們 對於足球的熱情，更對地方足球的發展貢獻一己之力，「台北皇家蔚藍足球俱樂部的知名度也因此漸漸地在四處傳開。隨著這些果實的收成，皇家蔚藍開始思考下一步發展的方向－創辦足球學院、認證的教練團、固定的練習球場以及自有的裝備與設施，這些對於俱樂部未來的發展都是不可或缺的。The Next Development – 2014/15 SeasonAfter learning that there would be no Division 1 football this season, another BML season it was and it would turn out to be the start of things to come for the Blues. This year any team from four could have been tipped for the championship and after a very close battle with rivals Carnegies FC, the Royal Blues were crowned BML champions after losing only 1 match and a result that all the players deserved. Finally the pieces were starting to come together and with a mixture of player ability, commitment and desire, the development of the team was plain to see. The Royal Blues identity was growing and so too their wanting of developing football across the whole of the country. So what does a developing club need next? One who has a kid’s academy and licensed coaches who also wish to build the sport at grassroots level…… their own managed training pitch and facility.

A setback only to make desire burn harder

越挫越勇皇 家蔚藍首先開始在台北找尋適合做為長期訓練基地的球場，俱樂部向相關單位上呈中英文提議書，並被邀請到討論會，然而，討論會的結果對俱樂部並不樂觀，皇家 蔚藍無法透過官方的協助取得妥善維護的球場，因此，俱樂部必須獨力在台北找尋其他維護得當的球場，其中卻遭遇了諸多的挫折所有權長期歸屬一方、所有球隊不願意出借空餘的球場、紊亂的行政規定以及模糊的責任分屬，使得找尋的過程難上加難。然而，再多的挫折也澆不熄俱樂部對於足球的熱情；相反地，這些挫折讓球員以及俱樂部的工作人員更加團結一心，努力設法排除前方的絆腳石。A setback only to make desire burn harderAfter putting together an in-depth presentation translated in both English and Chinese, the Royal Blues were invited to a football pitch selection hearing, where they would put forward their case to manage maintenance of their own pitch and facility. After showing plans for football growth for the city of Taipei and with resources to count on professional turf care advice, the Blues’ facility presentation was unsuccessful and given again to the previous owners who have been the owners for many years, regardless that the same group can only hold a facility for a period of 2 years. This was a huge setback and showed the difficult task of finding somewhere to play in the city of playable quality. 3 of the main pitches are accounted for by teams who have been running for many years but apart from Fritz Taipei (Organizers of the BML), the others are reluctant to share the pitches in their possession for other football lovers. There was one time at a pitch which was booked out by the Blues through the city’s Sports Office, when a training session didn’t even start. As the Royal Blues prepared to start a friendly match as part of match preparation, players from the group who maintain the pitch came onto the field and started to pull down goalposts. It was crazy behavior by people who were meant to be ‘maintaining’ the playing fields. Needless to say, this only increased the motivation of an already motivated club and its staff.

Division 1 Qualifiers Round 1 of 2

第二次升降賽亮相在問鼎上班族足球聯賽之後，皇家蔚藍取得了參加升降賽的資格，在此之前，俱樂部必須先與其他三隊於首輪較勁，取得前兩名名次的隊伍方有最後出賽升降賽資格。與前次升降賽不同之處在於，官方放寬外籍球員的限制，並給予較多的準備時間，這對於俱樂部來說是莫大的好消息皇 家蔚藍能夠舉行另一次的選訓，徵召更多有才華的選手，並在充裕的時間下進行球員與球員以及球員與球團的磨合。除此之外，運動品牌Conti與義大利油漆品 牌San Marco也首次贊助了皇家蔚藍，俱樂部首先將這筆新資源投入在新場地的租借(位於輔仁大學的人工草皮足球場)，讓球員與教練能在更完善的環境下踢球，其 他諸如新球衣的訂製等，也讓皇家蔚藍朝向職業球團更邁進一步。同時，俱樂部也樂意將得來不易的成果與其他台北在地熱愛踢球的朋友分享，因此，皇家蔚藍在每週二晚上創辦了踢球約團，讓所有喜愛足球的朋友能夠在完善的場地上與各方好手一同較勁。Division 1 Qualifiers Round 1 of 2 The time was here again. After becoming BML champions the Blues had an even stronger case to register for the Division 1 qualifiers and when finalized, they would compete against 3 other teams in the 1st round, for the right to go into the final round and play last year’s relegated teams. The big differences this time would be the cancelling of the foreign limitation rule and a longer time period for preparation, giving the club a better chance of success . Regular training sessions were increased and a strong team of players recruited with additional help from Sponsors. Conti (The sports brand) and San Marco (the Italian company with ties to Serie A) became the first official sponsors of the Royal Blues and gave a good indication of the direction the club would be aiming for; the want and need to professionalize the club and make better playing environments for the players and coaches. With everything finally falling into place a great opportunity came along to hire a brand new astro turf pitch at a Taipei University, in turn giving available trainings regardless of bad weather. At the same time as being a great place to train for the Royal Blues Players, the club have now also opened up access to other players from across the city who wish to play in a social kick-about, giving people a chance to play and meet other players.

The Current Day

在 四年努力的成果下，皇家蔚藍的發展逐漸步上軌道，再發展的同時，俱樂部也釐清兩大發展理念：其一為「專業化」－藉由專業的培訓以及強大的後勤組織，成為台 灣足球俱樂部經營的典範；其二為「普及化」－讓足球不再成為四年一次乍現的熱潮，而是一項如同棒球以及籃球廣受歡迎的全民運動。「專業化「普及化兩大理念，看似背道而馳，卻又環環相扣，皇家蔚藍靠著多年在聯賽沉潛所獲得的經驗，漸漸地將阻擋在前方的大石一一排除，並且建立起縝密的組織架構，讓理念不再是理想，而是能實現的目標。俱 樂部實現專業化以及普及化的第一步，即是成立福爾摩沙足球學院(Formosa Football Academy)，透過有系統且專業的球員培訓，俱樂部希望能夠讓足球這項運動在4到12歲年齡層中普及發展，同時，皇家蔚藍更展望在未來能夠成立一支青 年隊，繼續在這塊土地上發掘年輕天分。此外，隸屬於皇家蔚藍足球俱樂部二隊的皇家凱爾特人足球俱樂部 (Royal Celts)參與了On Tap足球聯賽(On Tap Premier League)，並且從排名中段的球隊蛻變為前段競爭隊伍，在去年以及今年球季，他們分別取得了第三名與第二名的佳績，受到皇家蔚藍教練團所關注的球員， 更有機會受邀請至本隊測試。藉由本隊以及二隊的建立，皇家蔚藍得以培訓更多的球員，讓球員們在適合自己層級的聯賽進行比賽，並且在更多聯賽中取得更多亮相 的機會。俱樂部現階段也開始延攬招募助理教練，希望透過更多人員的參與和投入，與球團具證照的教練以及行政部門合作，讓台北皇家蔚藍足球俱樂部離理想更靠近一步即使未來的路看似還很漫長，點滴的協助都會對這趟發展歷程造成重大的改變。在2015年8月，俱樂部即將在城市聯賽升降賽中二度登場，屆時台北皇家蔚藍足球俱樂部將與台南市、嘉義市以及台中市足球隊進行為期三天三場的比賽。皇家蔚藍距離踏入頂級聯賽的大門僅有一步之遙，而俱樂部也將拚全力藉由成功打入城市聯賽來證明先前的努力並非白費。The Current DayAlthough setting a leading example of how a football club should be run in Taiwan is a big, long term aim for the Royal Blues staff, another would be the development of football inclusion to the people of Taiwan - Giving people the chance to play regardless of their playing ability. Aiming to run an elite level team and also giving time to participation levels is not an easy thing to do, but stepping stones are being mapped out to have this in place and form a solid structure. STRUCTURE. Something that is the most important thing when creating anything successful. Within our structure we currently have in place a kids soccer academy – FFA (Formosa football academy) giving training to children from ages 4 years old through to 12, with plans to form a youth team in the near future. We have a 2nd team – The Royal Celts, who play in the On Tap Premier League and who have turned themselves from a modest mid-table team, to one who finished 3rd last season and now find themselves in 2nd place. This is the level where players are welcomed and can participate. To play in a team with no barriers and is also proving to be a good practice ground for up and coming Taiwanese players. A place for them to develop their skills. We have ‘official licensed coaches ‘ which means their coaching licenses are currently valid and in date, making them ready to give high quality training to a wide variety of player. We now have an administrative officer who is qualified in Sports Administration and recently we have started accepting CV’s for a coaching assistant position. There is still a long road ahead before we get to anywhere near to where we want to be, but every step forward takes us closer to our goals. We travel down to Tainan City on August 14th to play 3 more qualifying matches for the right to finally get into the top Division of the country. Yes that’s right, we made it through the 1st round of qualifiers in what was a grueling 3 day battle. But in the end, we got through. Another sign of positive development.

What does the Future Hold?

展望未來俱 樂部正致力於統整台北地方足球人才，必且建立一個強大穩固的平台，讓所有熱愛足球的朋友們能夠參與，為自己所喜愛的運動盡心盡力，這項計畫則有賴於皇家蔚 藍、二隊、足球學院以及社群平台之間的緊密合作。涓涓細流，最終也將匯成汪洋大川，皇家蔚藍相信由基層一點一滴的努力，改善俱樂部現階段所遭遇的窘境，給 予努力打拼的球員應有的待遇，讓台北皇家足球俱樂部有朝一日能夠登上國際賽場。最後回饋台灣在地足球社群。這個夢想，絕非一夕就能完成，但是，俱樂部相信 靠著持續地投入，追求卓越的渴望以及在地的支持，這個夢想絕對並非空談。若您認同台北皇家蔚藍俱樂部的理想，並且想投身於台灣足球，歡迎加入我們，讓我們對台灣的足球發展以及社群做出貢獻!What does the Future Hold?The Royal Blues and other Royal teams along with the FFA Academy will continue to work hard in bringing football together and making it a stronger platform for Taiwan to lead from. Even if what we do is only a small part of a bigger machine, we hope that our part can make a difference in creating a legacy that a country with a growing football following deserves. The Royal Blues want to someday be in a position where we can attract even more sponsors, not have to charge players ‘club fees’, offer rewards for playing and be in a position to produce both young Taiwanese and non-Taiwanese players who can join the Senior Team and make a push towards International football. Some may call it a dream but many dreams are not achievable. This is our goal. With the continued support, desire, effort and commitment from all players, staff and people surrounding our footballing setup, we are positive we can reach our goals. It may not happen overnight, but together nothing is impossible. If you are still reading this now and are involved in Taiwanese football in any capacity, don’t grow alone. Let us all build a strong footballing community and move forward together.